[Izulde]

Mavericks-Kings Renew Old Augusto/Yeaton Rivalry

One is 27 and in the full bloom of his basketball career. The other is 37 and in his twilight.

But both Marcelino Augusto and Mateen Yeaton are the type of legendary player that comes along once in a generation, storied athletes whose careers have become so closely affialiated with a team's that you can not talk about one with the other.

And so there's Augusto, winner of 2 MVP awards and four rings, two a piece with the Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks. It is he who is the primary reason why the Mavericks now have two trophies, whereas before there were none.

And Yeaton, whose 2 MVP awards are of the Finals variety, a clutch cavalier who won the hearts of a nation with his incredible shooting and quiet, understated demeanour off the court. 3 rings, all with Denver.

Both men have their name writ larger over the contemporary basketball award landsape and no doubt both will be enshrined in the Hall when their retirement day comes.

But they are linked by the Augusto-initated power struggle over who was the #1 option on offense and who was the face of the Nuggets. But it was not Yeaton who responded to Augusto's challenge.

Instead, it was then-Denver Nuggets GM Jestor who sided with Yeaton, shipping out his own hand-picked #1 overall selection and franchise future to the Mavericks for Jonte Jones, who then in turn led the Nuggets to their straight championship.

Now, despite the fact that the purple and grey of the Sacramento Kings is donned and their career stages are as disparate as can be, the rivalry resumes.

On Augusto's side, fellow superstar Devone Allen, who defers readily to the Brazilian, and a third scorer in Jeremy Leach.

Standing with Yeaton, old men and former Raptors in David Anyan and Greg Oden, members of the Toronto teams that year in and year out challenged Yeaton's Nuggets for supremacy in a friendly, respectful rivalry that became this generation's Celtics/Lakers.

This will be an intense, personal, heated series. Augusto has already vowed to take out the Kings Jestor has crowned, while Anyan retorted by saying this is time for the best of the Raptors and Nuggets dynasties to come together to bring Sacramento its long-dreamt of title.

Point Guard
William Tackett vs. Devone Allen
The rookie Tackett looked anything but a first year in the first round, putting up a sensational 17 points, 10.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocks and showing a gorgeous consistency that even further cements his status as the biggest draft steal in years. So what if his technical defense is suspect? He's an out and out playmaker and a gifted one at that, in addition to being a natural floor general.

He'll have his hands full against the towering 6'8, 218 lbs Allen, who, believe it or not, has the passing skills to do an adequate job at PG despite being a natural SF. The postseason has borne this out, Devone averaging 16.5 points, 10 assists, 4.8 rebounds, a steal and 3 blocks a game in the first round. Simply put, there are no weaknesses in Allen's game and he's an MVP candidate in his own right, even if he is playing out of position. He'll be looking to shut down the hot rookie this series.

Advantage: Mavericks

Shooting Guard
Mateen Yeaton vs. Jeremy Leach
Age has taken its toll on the 37 year old Yeaton and nowhere was that more evident than the first round, when he shot 41% for 13 points and 1.2 blocks. It was his worst playoff outing since 2021, when he shot 41.3%. Fortunately, he's not required to be Sacramento's top gun.

Leach, 33, was part of Yeaton's Nuggets for an offseason, but before playing a single game for Denver, he was dealt to the Mavericks in exchange for a package including Zelipe Gama, Jestor's favorite PG before the rise of Tackett. A defensive liability, but one who scores enough and accurately enough to make up for it. 17 point average in the first round, the only noteworthy statistic. In short, he's a shooter and nothing more.

Advantage: Mavericks

Small Forward
David Anyan vs. Brad Smalls
Anyan continues to erase all doubt that he needs Justin Richler to be an elite-level player. He had a sensational opening round against Portland, averaging 23.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks. A shut-down defender and a prolific, accurate scorer who can rebound and pass some, he's the total package.

Smalls really struggled in the opening round, shooting just 38.6% for 10.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks. He isn't likely to have much better luck against the imposing Anyan, who plays much bigger than his 6'6 hieight, particularly since Smalls is only 6'7 himself. That said, the 26 year old is an excellent ballthief. On the other hand, it's quite easy to score on him, which is worrisome for Mavericks fans given the matchup.

Advantage: Kings

Power Forward
Antonio Sarchet vs. Marcelino Augusto
As we've said before, they're not scorning the Sarchet trade any more. The 29 year old has been a sensational #2 scorer and rebounder for the Kings and he carried that tradition over in the first round, averaging 15.4 points and 9.2 rebounds. Merely an average defender, though. Sacramento really needs him to step up his scoring this series since Tackett is liable to get shut down by Allen.

22.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.8 blocks. That first round line pretty much says it all about Augusto. One of the best all-around players in the NBA and annual MVP candidate. Like Anyan, he has no real flaws and the battle between he and Sarchet will go a long way to predicting the winner in this one.

Advantage: Mavericks

Center
Greg Oden vs. Morris Allaway
Oden played at such a high level during the regular season in spite of his 37 years that it was shocking to see him post just 7.6 points in the first round. While that also came with 12.8 rebounds, a steal and 2.2 blocks, it's a reminder of just how diminished the multi-MVP award winner is at this point in his career. That said, to ignore his importance as a top-level rebounder and defender would be foolhardy and he should be able to find ways to contribute more on offense this round.

Particularly since Allaway is a run-of-the mill player in every aspect, including defense. That's not to say Allaway's a terrible player--he isn't, as his 9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 3 starts following Tyrone Dotson's ankle injury testifies. It's just that he's not good, either.

Advantage: Kings

Bench
What a revelation Ronald King has been for the Kings! After a terrific regular season, he averaged 17 points off the bench in Round One, providing instant offense. 7'1, 304 lbs Brandon Edmond continues to be the big body inside, averaging 5.6 points and 7 rebounds. Both players have been solid defensively as well, even if they don't have the flashy numbers to show for it.

David Tucker has been lights out so far this postseason, averaging 16.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and a steal. Not a good defender, however. T.J. Roberts has the ability to make a bucket from all different ranges and is averaging 5.3 points. Tyrone Dotson is hampered by his ankle injury and will be relegated to bench duty to start the series. Averaged 4.5 points and 8 rebounds in the first round. The Achilles heel for Dallas: They have no defensive stoppers on the bench.

Advantage: Kings

Final Thoughts
The starting five overall seems to favor Dallas, but with the exceptional one-two punch of King and Edmond and the great matchup Sacramento has in Anyan on Smalls, it's just too close to call. That said, Augusto takes it to another level against Yeaton/Jestor teams and Yeaton is no longer who he once was. In a series like this, that makes the difference.
Final Prediction: Mavericks in 6

Can't say I fault them their thinking. This is going to be a brawl and a half.

Game One
The home crowd was absolutely stoked for the opening game and purple and grey were in abundance everywhere. So, too, were the Mavericks' Big Three and they played brilliantly. Jeremy Leach scored 27, Marcelino Augusto added 24 points and Devone Allen doubled for 24 points and 12 assists, looking just like a real PG. David Anyan and Antonio Sarchet responded with 25 points and 21 points and 13 rebounds respectively, but it was our bench that carried us to the clincher. Ronald King and Brandon Edmond each scored 12, with Edmond making it a double-double by tacking on 10 boards. A key victory and a solid win to start things off.
Final - Dallas 97 Sacramento 112

Game Two
Looking at the scoreline, you wouldn't think we won all four quarters, but we did. Antonio Sarchet stepped up yet again with 23 points and 12 rebounds, David Anyan scored 21, William Tackett broke through the Devone Allen vice for 17 points and 15 assists and Ronald King chimed in with 15 bench points. Really rough outing for Marcelino Augusto, held to just 10 points and so Jeremy Leach's 21 points and David Tucker's 14 bench points just didn't cut it. I'm ecstatic with our 2-0 series lead, not the least of which because I think we're really going to need that cushion heading into Dallas.
Final - Dallas 94 Sacramento 106

Game Three
I'm hoping to do one thing in Dallas and that's steal a game. It doesn't happen in this one, though, as the Big Three and a Fourth come through for the Mavericks with 20+ points. Marcelino Augusto scores 27, Devone Allen scores 24, Jeremy Leach contributes 20 points and David Tucker explodes off the bench for 22 points. We can't match that, not even with David Anyan's 20 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists, William Tackett's 10 points and 11 assists and Brandon Edmond's near bench double of 12 points and 9 rebounds. The scoring just wasn't there tonight. More worringly, Tyrone Dotson is now fully healed and back in the starting lineup.
Final - Sacramento 102 Dallas 126

Game Four
Much, much closer game. David Anyan scores 25, Greg Oden wakes up for 10 points and 16 rebounds, William Tackett generates 17 points and 11 assists and Ronald King scores 12 points off the bench. Things are looking hopeful when we hold Devone Allen to 10 points and 10 assists and bench outings of 16 and 12 points a piece from David Tucker and Morris Allaway, but then Marcelino Augusto takes over and singlehandedly pulls this to an even series with 40 points and 13 rebounds. Now we're all tied up and the war rages on. Damned shame because I really thought we could take this one.
Final - Sacramento 101 Dallas 110

No sweeps to speak of, so on we soldier.

Game Five
A must-win because I don't think we can take the Mavs in Dallas to force a Game 7 if we lose here. Marcelino Augusto ramps up for 27 points and 10 rebounds and Morris Allaway is near-perfect with 11 bench points. But then we fire back with a quartet of 20+ point scorers of our own, imitating Dallas's Game 3 outing. Antonio Sarchet regains his comfort level at home with 23 points and 12 rebounds, David Anyan stays consistent with 21 points, Mateen Yeaton comes alive for 20 points and William Tackett plays magnificiently in netting 22 points and 15 assists. Ronald King paces the bench with 13 points and we leave Sacramento with a hammering 20 point win and the all-important 3-2 series edge.
Final - Dallas 103 Sacramento 123

Boston spoils Oswaldo Apolonario and the Hawks' dreams by beating them in five. Everyone else is going on to a minimum of six games.

Game Six
The arena is deafening here, as the partisans want their beloved Mavericks to stay alive. But our defense says hell no to that and all the Mavs can muster is Marcelino Augusto's 22 points. We, on the other hand, watch gleefully as Antonio Sarchet snaps the road curse for 27 points, David Anyan piles on 23 points and 12 rebounds and we get a pair of double-doubles from Greg Oden (10 points, 12 rebounds) and William Tackett (10 points, 10 assists). A brilliant win and it's oh so satisfying to see the miserable faces of the Mavericks faithful. Sweet, sweet Schadenfreude!
Final - Sacramento 99 Dallas 83

Our series win isn't without cost, though. Mateen Yeaton, Greg Oden and Jim Johnson are all dinged up with injuries. If we had to play today, Oden would start, but Yeaton would sit on the bench in favor of Ronald King. We'll see how everyone's feeling at the start of the West Conference Finals.

The remaining two series go to a seventh game and the Raptors complete a miracle comeback, going from down to 3-1 to charge back and take the series over the Bulls. Meanwhile, the defending champion Suns barely escape the Grizzlies in Game 7.

And so we've got precisely the All-Atlantic, All-Pacific Conference Championship matchups I realized could happen after the first round. Makes sense, because those were the two best divisions in the league this season.

It's going to be a brutal matchup for both us and Toronto, both of whom rely on veteran players as opposed to the relative youth movements of Boston and Phoenix.

But the flickering hope is still there to again play the team I both have the most admiration for and consider my biggest archrivals, no matter whether I'm in Denver or Sacramento.